Family Vacations in Costa Rica: Top 12 Destinations

Feb 16, 2018

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Costa Rica is one of the best countries to go for a family vacation.

With its pristine wilderness and excellent ecotourism system, Costa Rica is one of the best places in the world to adventure as a family. Venturing outdoors tends to inspire adults and kids alike, and in this country, cloud forests, tropical jungles, and sunny beaches won’t disappoint. Plan your next trip with our list of top destinations for family vacations in Costa Rica.

Abundant natural wonders will thrill the entire family at Arenal Volcano National Park.

A trip to Arenal Volcano National Park will leave the whole family thrilled with its abundant natural wonders and adventure activities throughout volcanic terrain. Lake Arenal, sitting at the base of the volcano, doubles the fun with plentiful water play. Further sweetening the deal, the surrounding area is home to multiple hot spring resorts offering sumptuous pools for a little relaxation time and family-friendly pools equipped with water slides great for adrenaline pumping and splashing around.

Family tours such as this one provide activities in and around Arenal Volcano National Park that are suitable for all ages.

Nature enthusiasts should plan a Costa Rica family holiday to Sarapiquí, one of the fastest growing destinations for adventure travel. Situated at the mouth of the Sarapiquí River, this town is the gateway for thrilling river excursions, waterfall hikes, and wildlife preserves.

This trip includes a chocolate tour, safari floating tour and river rafting tour in Sarapiqui.

For a family trip to Costa Rica that offers both land and sea adventures, Manuel Antonio is a top choice. Tropical jungle, palm-lined beaches, spectacular coral reef, and mangroves create endless opportunities for fun in the sun. The local area surrounding is home to Central America’s longest zipline, amongst other action-packed activities. Many of the outdoor activities are easily accessible to children as well.

A tiny hatchling runs across the beach towards the sea in Tortuguero National Park

A trip to Tortuguero is a truly unique opportunity that will inspire the family for a lifetime. Here, you can maximize enjoyment of the outdoors while experiencing the traditional local life of a small Costa Rican village. With a focus on wilderness protection, ecotourism opportunities here are excellent. Some tours even offer visitors the opportunity to search for massive nesting sea turtles.

Since getting to Tortuguero can be challenging due to its limited access via canal, planning this stop as part of a Costa Rica all-inclusive family tour is a good option. This 7-day tour is a great way to discover Tortuguero National Park.

For an unforgettable adventure, take the family on an expedition through Costa Rica’s cloud forest in Monteverde with a tour. You’ll navigate through the lush canopy on hanging bridges and zip-lines or walk interesting trails along the continental divide. Adults and kids alike will develop skills of true explorers navigating the dense rainforest, sighting interesting wildlife, and enjoying simple pleasures of the surrounding rural countryside.

Cahuita is a small village on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica with a unique cultural history. With a strong Afro-Caribbean heritage, the town’s vibrant Creole culture is just one of its charms. Nearby you’ll find exotic black-sand beaches and one of Costa Rica’s most treasured spots, Cahuita National Park, which sports spectacular coral reef and pristine rainforest. Snorkeling in the waters of Cahuita also provide great opportunities to discover historical shipwrecks.

This 15-day tour takes you to all of Costa Rica’s highlights including Cahuita National Park.

Unwind as a family while discovering the treats of one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. In this oasis in the southern end of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, you’ll find some of the last remaining virgin rainforest in Costa Rica, breathtaking bays, secluded beaches, and enticing rivers. Osa Peninsula balances a slower pace with unmatched wildlife-viewing opportunities that will nurture everyone’s appreciation of life’s simple joys.

San José, Costa Rica’s capital, is often overlooked as quick pitstop for taking flights and arranging tours. But those who spend a bit more time exploring this historical town will be happily surprised by the great number of appealing attractions, vibrant culture, and range of activities nearby.

9. San Isidro

Lying south of the bustling city of San José, San Isidro is a peaceful town with rolling valleys and serene mountains. Known for its importance as an agricultural center, this is an excellent stop for families seeking authentic tours of working farms (think coffee, sugar, and fruit), protected wildlife areas, and treks up Costa Rica’s highest peak. It’s also an absolute must for birding enthusiasts.

Check out this tour and hike from San Isidro to Piedras Blancas along with other wildlife destinations like Dominical, Dimante Verde and Uvita.

Take the kids on a fascinating geological expedition, wandering through a volcanic paradise. This park sports two volcanoes, nine craters, rivers, streams, hot springs, geysers, and spectacular trails. The kids will marvel at the steam vents and bubbling mud while you enjoy some much-needed healing in the natural spas.

This tour takes you from Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast to the Pacific Coast passing through the jungles of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park.

Cool things to do

Get mud baths and relax in hot springs near the volcanoes of the national park

If a coastal adventure is in the cards for your family, you won’t want to miss Costa Rica’s fabulous beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula. This expansive 80-mile coastline is a haven for water-sports and beach-combing on idyllic bays. With a fair share of national parks, wildlife reserves, and jungle-lined coastline, there are plenty of opportunities for land-based exploration too!

Take a Costa Rican Vacation through Arenal and Nicoya Peninsula with this tour and experience the highlights of Costa Rica such as beaches, volcanos and rainforests.

12. Uvita

Whale watching is a must-do activity in Uvita.

Board the boats and head out for a day of family fun in beautiful Uvita. This town is one of the best-kept secrets for sea-loving travelers while the beaches provide much needed time to lay back and relax for the entire family. The bays are excellent for swimming and you’ll have a whale of a time spotting humpbacks and dolphins.

Family vacations in Costa Rica provide unimaginable levels of excitement and joy. With activities and sites for a range of ages and interests, your experiences in this serene country will create lasting memories for the whole family to enjoy.

“Renato was an excellent tour guide. Very knowledgeable and entertaining. Driver Julio was safe a ... Read More
“Renato was an excellent tour guide. Very knowledgeable and entertaining. Driver Julio was safe and careful. Returned us to the ship with plenty of time.” Read Less